Another Lesson In The Woods

In the wooded clearing again, this time ever alert for trouble as the older badger teaches the younger one his skills, maybe not too deeply yet but Zee will get away with what he can after all as he has two large training swords and has picked a good area for some exercise.

Xander uses the branch to do chin-ups and has done about 10 of them in the minute time. He also can do like 25 sit-ups and push-ups in a minute’s time. He finishes chin-up number 11 for this 2nd time through and then drops onto his foot paws and grins “I did one more, did you see Uncle Zee?”

Zee nods “Yes I saw, of course I saw but we need ta do better than that, and you need to practice running some more”

Xander rolls his eyes “I runs good, I was fast on the shore by the sea and you said sand is harder to run on so I should be faster on non-sand and I am”

Zee folds his arm his chest, “Still one doesn’t stop being in shape, they never rest, they always do their best to stay in top shape, practice and be healthy as well. Everyone who has held the Blade of the Northwinds Storm knew how important it was to never fall behind on training skills, sparing and exercise to stay strong and in shape at all times, even I do my best. Age is starting to slow me down, but that’s age’s fault not me own”

Xander nods “Yes Uncle Zee. Age is bad then?”

Zee answers, ”No it can be good also. Age can mean a number of things and one is wise, most of the time in old age. One can still fight and defend themselves fairly well if they stay in shape. But sometimes other factors can effect one as in your grandfather’s case a weak heart condition came about, the healers are still not sure why or what happen, just some idea and he was forced to lay down the Blade Of The Northwind Storms. He got in a wheelchair in fact but even though he couldn’t be a warrior anymore he still was full of life” He smiles remembering Zork, “ He still helped in his own way around the abbey, cared for your mother and his brother…your Uncle…Oz. He loved his family dearly and was even still willing if need be to die for them.”

Xander nods and points to the blade on Zee’s back “That’s his sword isn’t it?”

Zee nods “Yes it is Xander and for now I keep an eye on it till you can wield it, till ya earned the right ta wield it, you will learn to use this blade and one day wield it as your own.”

Xander nods “Yes Uncle Zee” He smiles “I hold sword now?”

Zee chuckles “Ya sound like your grandfather when he was starting and no not yet.” He walks over and gets one of the practice blades and hands it to the young badger and then he gets his own practice blade “We use these weighted practice blades, and then soon heavier ones and we work up to a real blade. There is also movement with the feet, legs and arms in any fight and always try to be alert.” He goes to swing at the younger badger’s left shoulder.

Xander was not fully ready and goes to block half of the blade and falls backwards onto his bottom and frowns, he grips the handle and starts to slowly stand looking at the ground slightly as he does so.

Zee goes to shove Xander back down, not as roughly as he could and then places practice blade on the back of his neck “Never let your guard down, a vermin has now killed you as any stab in the neck front or back could be instant or almost instant death. Vermin do NOT care, they will also take a chance to slit your throat with a blade here…or here” He shows moving the practice blade to the front of his neck and along the back “All it takes or death is but a few seconds.” He stands and lets him stand “And a vermin will be FAR rougher than I just was”

Xander ooofs as he goes down face first in the dirt and coughs. He whimpers slightly and goes to turn his head way from the dirt. He listens, oh yes he listens as Zee speaks and manages a nod and when able goes to stand up slowly and dust off his pants and looks once more to Zee”I..I am sorry”

Zee nods “Always stay alert. NEVER let your guard down. Keep your senses alert not just your eyes but your ears, your sense of touch, smell as well. Now what do you hear? See? Feel? Smell?”

Xander listens carefully” Well more than your voice. I hear a bird somewhere chirping…I hear some leaves rustling slightly, the cricket just now. I smell rain, flowers, grass, oak trees, us…I see us and the woods, e fact there is some clouds so it may rain later but not too soon from now. I feel the forest floor beneath my foot paws and” He moves back and forth “It has a different feel in areas like the pile of leaves or just the soil or by the log is all different.”

Zee smiles “Good, very good Xander. Now back to sparing” He raises the training blade and aims for the right side.

Xander is ready this time and blocks the blade with his own. All times keeping an eye on Zee and his ears open for sounds around him.

Zee nods once and goes to fake a move to the right, then turns it to the left. At the same time he goes to aim a kick at the younger badger’s midsection.

Xander watches his movements and manages to block the older badger’s blade, he almost gets off balance with the kick but stays balanced and then lets out a low growl as he rushes forwards and goes to try and knock Zee off balance and aim a hit at his right side.

Zee is a little surprised but he does block the young badger’s blade and lets out a small sort of groan at being head butted in the stomach. But he goes to make a move toward the other badger’s backside.

Xander ducks rushes between Zee’s legs and goes to slam the blade onto his back legs if he can.

Zee blinks and gasps falling onto his knees and frowns, ok that hurt he has to admit and if that was a real blade there would be some blood.”Ok..ok enough for taday lad”

Xander nods “You okies Uncle Zee? Did I hurt you and if did sorry”

Zee smiles “You didn’t hurt me lad, maybe a bit of a sting but I am fine” He collects the training blades and lays them in his bag “How about a jog a little ways into the woods, and then back here and we get to the abbey for a snack afterwards”

Xander nods and then rushes forwards giggling as he dos so, he will prove just how fast he really is in the woods. He has practiced on sand so he has very good balance and foot position than most.

Zee grins and heads after him “Hey ya lad no fair getting a head start on ya old uncle!” He has to admit this kid is faster than most and a lot faster than himself as he is soon getting out of breath and looks around slowly to see where he went.

Also passing in the woods is the wildcat Zurrgg with about 22 of his vermin nearby.

Xander giggles and hides behind a tree. He then sniffs the air and frowns as he stats to climb the tree and get a better look. Seeing the wildcat he backs up a little and flattens some on the branch he is on, not too high up but high enough not to be on the ground and the tree is slightly discolored so maybe he can hide better.

Zee slows and frowns, something is not right and its too quiet. He also gets worried on where Xander is but he doesn’t dare call out the young badger’s name.

Zurrgg seems to not see the young badger, in fact he seems more interested in something in the sky as the wildcat grins and aims the crossbow and fires a bolt at a flying eagle, laughing as the eagle and what seems to be 3 passengers on it goes to crash land into the woods by the clearing up ahead.

Xander frowns, he has seen that eagle before, so he climbs higher and uses thick and wide branches that join some trees to get closer and even jumps a couple times to another tree, once he almost falls in fact but catches himself and is right back to climbing and moving along best he can till he is forced to stop.

Zee blinks as he hears the laughter and then sees the eagle “Thunderwing..noooooo” He says in a whisper and then is dashing forwards barely being able to cry out

Zurrgg is seen surrounding 3 beasts and the wounded eagle. He is oddly quiet till he goes forwards and slips behind one of the mice there.

Xander slides down the tree he is in and climbs one dangerously close to the vermin.

Zee has yet to get close, he blade of the Blade Of The Northwind Storms on his back and places a paw on the handle and grips it as he gets for any possible fight and at the same time look for Xander and hoping he is not nearby or if he is, he is out of sight.Wait..voices? He makes his way towards the voices, at the same time trying to stay out of sight.